You might remember that on Sunday 6 Hydrogen balloons were launched in a distance of flight contest. This is a map of their landing spots. For More info, visit this web site. To our friends in the Northeast, Balloon #2 was sponsored by the City of Springfield, MA.
Our Pilots P/U truck developed serious differential problems on Tuesday. No problem; Wednesday morning The Blue Ox was pressed into service and transported us in grand style. We woke up at 3:00am to go and pick-up the trailer & sleepy eyed flight crew. No photos, it wasn’t pretty!
Unfortunately our launch site is located on the west edge of the field, this makes taking good photos very difficult as I must shoot into the rising sun.
Anne-Marie was delighted to be asked to fly on Wednesday. This was to be a ‘Mass Ascension’ which means that 500 balloon will be launched in 2 flights in rapid succession. It is also ‘International Day’ Hence to display of our teams Mexican flag. We are seconds away from launch here, several passersby have been enlisted to help hold the balloon down. In the left side of the picture, you can see our truck's bumper which has the safety rope still attached.
To our east the 7 story tall Fire Hydrant is ready to go.
The safety rope is released by the pilot, lots of furious fire from the burners as she heats to 105,000 cubic feet of air to supply gradual lift. We shout good wishes and cheer like teenagers, it’s over in 30 seconds.
The sky is full of Balloons, ours is one of hundreds. There are also many ‘Special Shapes flying on the day. Anne-Marie gets several great photos.
Notice all the balloons on the ground, they are all to take off in about 15 minutes.
The location of our 5th wheel is shown, the large open area is an old dump site which is too soft for campers. Many Balloons land there!
Altogether too soon the flight is over, our pilot Susana and her Supremo Commandor Julian sense that the wind is coming up and put down in a very convenient freshly mown corn field. 200 feet further the would have been in a cow pasture, that would be crappy to say the least!
Time of flight, 45 minutes. Length of memory, Forever! Thursday flights are canceled due to high winds.
On a sad note we found out the 1 balloon hit high tension wires causing 2 injuries, a passenger was badly burned and required surgery, our prayers go out to him with wishes of a complete and rapid recovery.
No comments :
Post a Comment